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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Philadelphia, PA vs Columbus, OH

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Philadelphia spends 198.4% more per capita than Columbus ($37,414/person difference). Columbus, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 52/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Columbus
Total Spending
$89.7B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$18,858
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$0
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$1,145
Population
1,593,208
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Columbus$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Columbus$2,168
Health
Philadelphia$229
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaColumbus
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$107
$234
Income Tax
$8
$1
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$0
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$2,389
Other
$4,029
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaColumbus
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$224
Public Welfare
$1,456
$878
Health
$229
$0
Hospitals
$4,048
$953
Parks & Recreation
$593
$2,168
Housing
$4,902
$4,303
Sewerage
$325
$1
Utilities
$4,222
$1,719
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$7,595
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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